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Revision of The Well Read Achievement from Tue, 2008-11-04 23:22

Submitted by Hosho on Tue, 2008-11-04 18:22

I have written the guide with both Alliance and Horde in mind, and so the guide will split in two on occasion. The alliance should follow the [alliance]blue[/alliance] parts of the guide, and the horde should follow the [horde]red[/horde] parts of the guide.

This achievement is no walk in the park. Not everyone will have the patience to do this achievement, which makes it all the more desirable to have, so here's how to do it. Please note that all of this information was found in the Books Database of Wowhead. If anything is ever unclear or becomes inaccurate over time, everything can be found there.

These books are the lifeblood of the lore of World of Warcraft. If you are simply looking for more achievement points, then just open the book and close it. But if you are interested in knowing more about the game and the world contained within it, then go ahead and read the books! You might be surprised to know some of the "history" behind the everyday things you see in WoW. Give it a try!

Having a clear Karazhan instance for the week will simplify this greatly. If you don't have a clear karazhan instance of your own, you can ask a friend of guild member if they will allow you to use theirs. Here's a brief description of how that's done.

You need at least two people. You, unsaved to any Karazhan instance for that week, and your friend, who has cleared Karazhan in that week at least as far as Shade of Aran.

The player who is saved to the instance must invite the person who is NOT saved to a party. Note that the party MUST be started by the player who IS saved to the instance. Then, the saved player must turn the group into a raid group.

Once the raid has been created, the raid leader must walk into the instance first. Then you're free to use the instance to gather your books!

Part 1 - Scarlet Monastary

Head into the Library and follow the instance through, past the courtyard. Keep going until you find the first corridor with a red carpet. Along this corridor, enter the first room on your left.

Aegwynn and the Dragon Hunt
On a table in this room, red cover, guarded by 3 mobs. Red Cover.

Exit this room and follow the corridor forward again, entering the second room on the left.

War of the Three Hammers
On a table to the right side of this room. Can be opened without aggro'ing the mobs in the room. Brown Cover.

Exit this room and continue along the corridor until it opens out into a large room with pillars.

Aftermath of the Second War
In this room and to the left, on the floor under a window. Next to the quest objective for [38] Mythology of the Titans if you have done that quest. Blue cover.

War of the Spider
On the floor in the back right side of the same room where we found Aftermath of the Second War. Blue Cover.

Move forard through the instance to the next room, which is basically identical to the last room.

Arathor and the Troll Wars
At the rear of this room and to the left, near the rear door. Green Cover.

The World Tree and the Emerald Dream
At the rear of the room and to the right, also a Green Cover.

Proceed through the door and into the last corridor of the instance.

Archimonde's Return and the Flight to Kalimdor
As soon as you walk through this door, turn to the left. It is on the floor tucked into a corner, and can be difficult to find if you're not looking for it. Brown Cover.

The War of the Ancients
Directly in front of the door you just entered, on a table. Green Cover.

Beyond the Dark Portal~~~ MISTAKE?
Further along the corridor, on a table on the right. Green cover.

Beyond the Dark Portal~~~ MISTAKE?
Next table along the corridor, Black cover.

Proceed to the end of the instance, where Arcanist Doan can be found.

Civil War in the Plaguelands
In Arcanist Doan's room, to the right as you enter, on a table. Green cover.

Kel’thuzad and the Forming of the Scourge
Also in Doan’s room, to the left this time, on the second table moving anti-clockwise around the room. Black cover.

Icecrown and the Frozen Throne
The final book in Doan’s room, on another table to the left side, moving clockwise around the room. Green cover.

Part 2 – Scholomance (Video to follow) ~~~Use old one?~~~

NOTE: From this point onwards, we will occasionally trip over books that we already read in previous parts.

Get yourself a group. (Either 5 level 60's, or as few as 2 level 70's) It is entirely possible to solo the entirety of Scholomance at level 70, regardless of class or spec. While you're in here, you may as well use your [item]Argent Dawn Commission[/item] and grab some [item]Corruptor's Scourgestone[/item]s to help boost your Argent Dawn reputation, helping towards the much covetted Argent Champion title.

Once you get the door open, using either your [item]Skeleton Key[/item] or a rogue's lockpick ability, we begin!

The Birth of the Lich King
2nd table moving anti-clockwise around the room. Black Cover.

Sargeras and the Betrayal
Back left corner, next book around, kinda hard to see. FAR in the back corner. Black Cover.

The Dark Portal and the Fall of Stormwind
On a ledge, next to the wall, moving anti-clockwise around the room. Green Cover.

The Seven Kingdoms
Front Left corner, on a table. The last book in the room. Brown Cover.

From here, go through the set of iron gates into the room with the Summoners. Carry on straight through this room, and out the Iron Gates on the other side.

The Old Gods and the Ordering of Azeroth
After walking through the Summoner room and walking through the gate at the far side, this book is on a table immediately to your left. Blue cover.

After gathering this book, turn around and face into the room. Walk forward until the room opens out, and seek out the back right corner of the room where you will find..

Old Hatreds - The Colonization of Kalimdor
On a table, immediately to the left of the door leading downstairs to Jandice Barov. Brown cover.

Kil'jaeden and the Shadow Pact
Far back left of this room on a table. Black cover.

Rise of the Blood Elves
Near Kil'jaeden and the Shadow Pact on another table to the left. Red cover.

There is no need to go downstairs to kill Jandice Barov as there are no books down there. The next boss on your list is Rattlegore, who you must kill to gain the Viewing Room Key for a door we will come to later on. So head to Rattlegore and kill him. When he's dead, go back upstairs, past the dragon whelp room and into the main chamber. On the left is an Iron Gate, behind which are stairs that will take you down to a square-shaped room with the Viewing Room Door in the back left.

Exile of the High Elves
As you enter this room, turn left and follow the wall. You will find this book on a ledge next to the wall, Blue Cover.

The Invasion of Draenor
In the back left of this room, also on a ledge next to the wall. Red Cover.

Head into the Viewing Room.

The Founding of Quel'Thalas
As you enter the Viewing Room, turn right, and jump up onto the platform. This book is on a table behind Marduk Blackpool. Red cover.

And you're done with Scholomance!

Alliance Part 3 - [alliance]Ironforge and Stormwind[/alliance]
Alliance Part 3

Head to Ironforge, and look for the library behind the Hall of Explorers.

The Battle of Grim Batol
On the large table in the middle of the library, Brown cover.

Ironforge - The Awakening of the Dwarves
To the left of the library as you enter, on a table. Blue cover.

Rise of the Horde
To the right of the library as you enter. There are three books on this table, you want the one with the Brown Cover.

The Alliance of Lordaeron
Same table as Rise of the Horde, to the right side of the library. Blue cover.

Once you have read these four books, make your way to the Deeprun Tram and ride through to Stormwind. When you reach Stormwind, head to the Keep, and to the Library.

The New Horde
As you enter the library, turn left. The book is on a ledge, on one of the pillars that forms the doorway of the Library, behind a guard's head. It can be tricky to spot, so take your time looking. It has a Green cover.

The Kaldorei and the Well of Eternity
Also on the ledge of a pillar, near the western corner of the library. It is directly to the right of the NPC Donyal Tovald's head. It has a brown cover.

When this is done, get out of the keep, mount up, and ride to Eastvale Logging Camp. Find the large house to the southeast of the camp, and go upstairs..

Lethargy of the Orcs
As you walk upstairs you will see a table directly in front of you. The book is on this table. Red cover.

Horde Part 3 - [horde]Stonard[/horde]

Rise of the Horde
Stonard

The New Horde
Stonard

Part 4 - Karazhan

The Last Guardian
Karazhan

The Guardians of Tirisfal
Karazhan

Part 5 - Booty Bay

Booty Bay is notoriously difficult to navigate for people unfamiliar with the town, so I strongly recommend using the video along with the directions here to find where you are going. Here come the directions, please read them carefully!

Step 2. Face East. You will see a ramp going up to the top level of the town. Walk up this ramp.

Step 3. As soon as you reach the top of the ramp, you will see a bridge to your right. Walk across it.

Step 4. Once you have crossed the bridge, turn right. About 5 yards in front of you, there will be another right turn, to a ramp leading down slightly. Walk down this ramp, to where the stationary Booty Bay Bruiser is standing.

Step 5. Turn left and walk across the short bridge in front of you, then enter the building on your left.

The Sentinels and the Long Vigil
On one of the two bedside table in the building you just entered. It has a brown cover.

Step 6. Exit the building, and jump over the fence ahead of you. Turn around 180 degrees.

Step 7. Enter the building in front of you. If you can see "Sea Wolf" MacKinley, then you are in the right place.

Step 8. Find the flight of stairs at the back of the room and follow them down.

Step 9. You will be in a room full of boxes with a stove. There is another flight of stairs going down at the opposite end of the room, find it and go down.

Empire's Fall
At the bottom of the stairs and directly in front of you, you will find a bookcase with 3 books. This one has a Blue cover.

The Twin Empires
This book is on the shelf above Empire's Fall and has a Green cover.

Wrath of the Soulflayer
The last book of the three in the bookcase. Red cover.

Step 10. Turn left and you will see an exit. Take that exit and turn left.

Step 11. As you walk out onto the main walkway, turn right and you will find a ramp leading upwards. Walk up the ramp.

Step 12. Turn around 180 degrees, and take the second ramp going up. You will find yourself back at the shark.

Step 13. Behind the shark as you look at it, you will see the Inn. Walk in a straight line as far as you can, under the Salty Sailor Tavern sign, and walk through the entrance on the right.

Step 14. You are now in the inn. Go upstairs and..

Sunwell - The Fall of Quel'Thalas
As you walk upstairs, this book is on the table directly in front of you. It has a green cover.

Part 6 - The Barrens

Once you're done in Booty Bay, get onto the boat to Ratchet.

Charge of the Dragon Flights
Ratchet

Mount Hyjal and Illidan's Gift
Ratchet

[horde]Lethargy of the Orcs[/horde]
Barrens for horde [ALLIANCE DONE]

[horde]Ironforge - The Awakening of the Dwarves[horde]
Bael'modan [ALLIANCE DONE]

Alliance Part 7 - [alliance]Darnassus[/alliance]

Make your way to Darnassus, and to the Tradesmen's Terrace. At around (65,75) you will find a house with a white lamp post and a purple vase outside. Enter this building and..

The Betrayer Ascendant
To the left as you enter, on top of a small cabinet. Black cover.

Horde Part 7 - [horde]Silvermoon[/horde]

The Betrayer Ascendant

Darnassus and Silvermoon

[horde]The Alliance of Lordaeron[/horde]
Silvermoon [ALLIANCE DONE]

Horde Part 8 - Wetlands

The Battle of Grim Batol
Wetlands and Stormwind[ALLIANCE DONE]

The Kaldorei and the Well of Eternity
Wetlands and Stormwind[ALLIANCE DONE]
[/]

Erm, the pics seem fairly useless on that site - they are pics of the person getting the book, not maps to the book's location. I guess it's useful for telling where exactly the book is in that room... but if you don't know how to get to the room, it's not very useful at all!

If you're Horde and don't want to journey into Karazhan, there is the alternative to get The Last Guardian from Westfall and The Guardians of Tirisfal from the Horde inn in Dalaran. Great guide otherwise! =)

Two videos have gone in so far, more are on their way. Do you think there's any need for me to add screenshots as well, or is the video enough?

Also, I would appreciate some feedback on the Karazhan section of the guide. Should I take that out and put the books in elsewhere? People are unlikely to be running Karazhan in wotlk, but the alternatives for Horde are horendous.

The alliance can pick up the books from Westfall and Stormwind, and so don't need to do kara. (I'll add that to the Stormwind route)

The horde, however, have to choose between attacking Westfall or Thelsamar for one, and have no choice but to attack Stormwind for the second until WotLK hits. There is an alternative to Stormwind; Dalaran; but we don't have that option yet.

They can be found in Southshore in the inn on the upper floor. Not quite sure which colors the bookcovers are, and not quite sure what room they are in. But i think they can be found in the largest bedroom on 2 tables.

Ill be checking it sometime soon Cheers for the interesting and well needed guide

I've been using 3 different sources to try and nail down the location of every book on the list for the achievement and I've been as careful as I can be to pick out the best possible route for both factions.

The books in Southshore can be found elsewhere. But thanks for noticing!

You're of course most welcome It's a shame that those libraries you've been visiting are very up to date with the books. The one who borrowed those two books that can be found in Scarlet Monastery and Scholomance should be punished for the confusion he/she caused! }:)

The most epic thing imaginable happened to me on my way to Stonard to film the books there, and luckily I had fraps running. Basically I was lucky enough to trip over Teremus the Devourer, right as he spawned. I've solo'd this guy on many occasions and he's anything but hard as a protection warrior, I was expecting an easy ride with the new abilities I had gained since 3.0, but then there was the small matter of the ongoing scourge invasion..

My DPS gear is T6 level with one or two exceptions.. I was lucky enough to pick up the gloves from Kil'jaeden for offspec, but some slots such as my helm, trinkets and so on aren't so hot.

I'm going to level as full Titan's Grip Fury though. I'm one of these people who values full-on single target DPS over AoE ability or survivability. Best way stay alive is to kill it before it kills you.

Protection Warriors are indeed nice as we speak, but his gear gave him a helping hand as well i think

I'm going to make my warrior my main for WotLK as i would love to try out some tanking -- never done that before. I'm sure i will enjoy it a lot DUring the leveling i will just be spec-switching i guess: Fury for soloing and questing and Protection to go instances with my healing friend and my dps girl

The [alliance] and [horde] tags are merely placeholders, I'll use find/replace in a text editor to plug those in when I decide on a colour/style for them. ie: Find: [alliance] Replace: [color:#003388], then Find: [/alliance] Replace: [/color], it's just the way i work. I also had [part] and [book] tags, so ignore it.

This is very much work in progress, the order is solid but the writting, screenshots and videos are still to be done. It's sort-of followable though if you wanna do it now.

PS, I did try out the toolbar a while back, but it just didn't suit my way of doing things. I much prefer doing things in notepad and using placeholders etc.

Heh that makes sense then. Well I think it is definitely coming along nicely, and plan to use it once things settle down (atm rushing to try and get my druid her epic flight form before the expansion hits).

I remember reading somewhere that epic flight was going to be a trainer spell at 72, but would require riding skill to learn. Then again, the quest chain is "epic" in itself! Still unsure of the lore behind it, although there is my famous theory about Archimonde being alive and well in the Emerald Dream.. Doesn't explain how a raven god could end up on Azeroth though..

This looks really good, but there are a few formatting issues. It looks like you are trying to use some formatting that the site does not support (all the [horde][/horde], [item][/item] tags). You can link to items by simply making a normal link to their WoWhead pages, and the site will automatically provide pop-up tooltips on mouseover: [ url=WOWHEADURL ] ITEM NAME [ /url ]

Thanks for the guide, it's an achievement I've been meaning to have a go at in the near future. You are right about it being worthwhile actually reading these books, but as you say, it can be a little offputting when you have a few guards beating on your butt!